arXiv subjects

Ingrid Mertig

Publications and source records attributed to Ingrid Mertig.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Orbital and Spin Edelstein Effects in KTaO$_3$(110) Two-Dimensional Electron Gases

The orbital Edelstein effect converts an electric field into a non-equilibrium orbital polarization, opening new opportunities for orbitronics. Although signatures of the orbital Edelstein effect have been reported, its microscopic mechanisms and quantitative validation remain underexplored. Here, by directly linking the atomic structure of KTaO$_3$(110) two-dimensional electron gases to both their calculated and measured electronic band dispersions, we predict and provide experimental evidence for an orbital Edelstein effect that largely counterbalances its spin counterpart. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy resolve the interfacial atomic configuration, which is used as input for density-functional calculations. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy then confirms the resulting band structure, which is fitted by a tight-binding model enabling computation of the spin and orbital Edelstein responses. Harmonic magnetotransport indicates that a $\sim$20 \% contribution from the orbital Edelstein response is necessary to describe the magnitude and anisotropy of the effect. Our results establish KTaO$_3$(110) as a model platform for orbitronics and demonstrate a pathway to generate and harness orbital polarization in quantum oxide systems while also offering new insights into pairing mechanisms in their superconducting state.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Chiral-Angle-Controlled Spin Splitting and Spin Transport in Nanotubes Rolled from d-wave Altermagnets

Altermagnets combine compensated collinear magnetic order with momentum-dependent spin splitting in the electronic band structure. Here, we show that rolling a two-dimensional (2D) $d$-wave altermagnet into a nanotube converts this momentum dependence into chiral-angle-controlled one-dimensional (1D) spin splitting through dimensional projection. A minimal tight-binding model reveals a characteristic nodal--antinodal dependence on the chiral angle $\theta$, with the central circumferential subband exhibiting a $\cos(2\theta)$ scaling and the projected spin splitting vanishing for the nodal orientation and reversing sign between orthogonal antinodal orientations. First-principles calculations for V$_2$O and representative symmetric and Janus systems demonstrate that this nodal--antinodal selection rule persists despite curvature-induced structural asymmetry and magnetic moment imbalance. We further show that the projected electronic structure produces chiral-angle-controlled spin-polarized transport: antinodal nanotubes exhibit spin-polarized transmission, whereas the nodal nanotube remains conducting with identical spin-channel transmission. These results demonstrate how dimensional projection can translate the momentum-space spin splitting of a 2D altermagnet into geometrically controlled electronic and transport properties in nanotubes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

$d$-wave Surface Altermagnetism in Centrosymmetric Collinear Antiferromagnets

Broken inversion symmetry at the surfaces of centrosymmetric collinear antiferromagnets lifts combined inversion and time-reversal symmetry ($PT$) and can, in principle, enable nonrelativistic d-wave spin splitting, termed surface altermagnetism. Combining symmetry analysis with first-principles calculations, we show that surface inversion breaking, while necessary, is not sufficient for this effect. Surface altermagnetism emerges only when no antiunitary symmetry survives at the surface that exchanges the two antiferromagnetically coupled surface sublattices and enforces spin degeneracy. We demonstrate this mechanism explicitly for the centrosymmetric G-type antiferromagnets V$_3$Al and BaMn$_2$Sb$_2$, and contrast it with MnPt, where a sublattice-exchanging symmetry survives at the surface in the form of translation-time-reversal symmetry ($tT$), thereby preserving spin degeneracy despite broken inversion symmetry. The mechanism is shown to apply across multiple classes of centrosymmetric antiferromagnets and remains robust against spin-orbit coupling, although relativistic spin mixing in heavier-element compounds may reduce the observable spin polarization. These results establish a symmetry-based route toward realizing robust nonrelativistic momentum-dependent spin polarization at antiferromagnetic surfaces and interfaces.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

D-Wave Phonon Angular Momentum Texture in Altermagnets by Magnon-Phonon Hybridization

In altermagnets, the magnon bands are anisotropically spin-split in reciprocal space without relativistic or dipolar spin-spin interactions. In this work, we theoretically study magnons and phonons coupled by spin-lattice interaction in a two-dimensional square-lattice d-wave altermagnet. We show that phonon-chirality-selective magnon-phonon hybridization can be caused by interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction leading to the emergence of hybrid quasiparticles that possess finite phonon angular momentum. These hybrid quasiparticles are called magnon polarons and consist of spin-polarized magnons and chiral phonons. Their phonon angular momentum texture follows the d-wave character of the magnon spin texture opening up the possibility of phononic counterparts to the electronic response effects in altermagnets, such as a phonon angular momentum splitter effect, i.e., the generation of a transverse phonon angular momentum current induced by a temperature gradient -- the bosonic analog of the spin-splitter effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

MIM-Diode-Like Rectification in Lateral 1T/1H/1T-MoS$_2$ Homojunctions via Interfacial Dipole Engineering

Lateral two-dimensional (2D) tunnel diodes that reproduce metal-insulator-metal (MIM)-diode-like rectification without using dissimilar contacts are attractive for scalable nanoelectronics. MoS$_2$ can exist in both the semiconducting 1H phase and the metallic 1T phase, enabling phase-engineered homojunctions within a single material. First-principles electronic structure and quantum transport calculations show that phase-engineered 1T/1H/1T--MoS$_2$ homojunctions exhibit pronounced MIM-diode-like rectification originating from interfacial charge transfer at asymmetric 1T/1H interfaces. The charge transfer establishes interface dipole steps that impose a built-in potential drop across the 1H barrier, thereby generating a trapezoidal tunnel barrier at zero bias. In contrast, symmetric 1T/1H interfaces do not form interface dipoles and show no rectification. To clarify the microscopic origin, a lateral graphene/hexagonal-boron-nitride/graphene junction is analyzed as a minimal MIM diode analogue with a simple interface and well-defined barrier, confirming that interface-induced dipoles, rather than work-function difference, enable the effect. The mechanism operates entirely within a single monolayer material system and does not rely on out-of-plane stacking, highlighting compatibility with phase patterning in 2D semiconductors. These results establish lateral 1T/1H/1T--MoS$_2$ as a fully 2D, single-material platform for MIM-diode-like rectification and position interface-dipole engineering as a general strategy for ultrathin in-plane diodes, high-frequency detectors, and energy-harvesting tunnel devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Quantum Spin Hall Phase in the Truncated Trihexagonal Lattice: A Topological Archimedean Structure

Archimedean lattices constitute a unique family of two-dimensional tilings formed from regular polygons arranged with uniform vertex configurations. While the kagome and snub square lattices, the simplest members of the Archimedean lattice family, have been extensively investigated -- the former as a paradigmatic system for geometric frustration and nontrivial band topology, and the latter primarily as a quasicrystal approximant -- the broader family remains largely unexplored in terms of electronic and topological properties. In this work, we present a systematic Python-based tight-binding study of all eight pure Archimedean lattices, modeled as two-dimensional carbon-based networks serving as a proof-of-principle system. We analyze their band structures, investigate topological edge states arising from unconventional nanoribbon geometries, and evaluate $\mathbb{Z}_2$ invariants as well as intrinsic spin Hall conductivities using the Kubo formalism. Our results reveal that several Archimedean lattices, such as the truncated hexagonal and truncated trihexagonal lattices, host nearly dispersionless flat bands extending across the Brillouin zone, which remain robust even in the presence of next-nearest-neighbor hopping and strong spin-orbit coupling. In particular, the truncated trihexagonal lattice supports topologically protected, highly spin-polarized edge states across multiple ribbon geometries. These states are stable against defects and spin-flip scattering, and give rise to quantized spin Hall currents.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Current-induced spin and orbital polarization in the ferroelectric Rashba semiconductor GeTe

The Edelstein effect is a promising mechanism for generating spin and orbital polarization from charge currents in systems without inversion symmetry. In ferroelectric materials, such as Germanium Telluride (GeTe), the combination of bulk Rashba splitting and voltage-controlled ferroelectric polarization provides a pathway for electrical control of the sign of the charge-spin conversion. In this work, we investigate current-induced spin and orbital magnetization in bulk GeTe using Wannier-based tight-binding models derived from \textit{ab initio} calculations and semiclassical Boltzmann theory. Employing the modern theory of orbital magnetization, we demonstrate that the orbital Edelstein effect entirely dominates its spin counterpart. This difference is visualized through the spin and orbital textures at the Fermi surfaces, where the orbital moment surpasses the spin moment by one order of magnitude. Moreover, the orbital Edelstein effect remains largely unaffected in the absence of spin-orbit coupling, highlighting its distinct physical origin compared to the spin Edelstein effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Nonlinear spin and orbital Rashba-Edelstein effects induced by a femtosecond laser pulse: Simulations for Au(001)

Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling gives rise to distinctive surface and interface phenomena, such as spin-momentum locking and spin splitting. In nonequilibrium settings, one of the key manifestations is the (Rashba-)Edelstein effect, where an electric current generates a net spin or orbital polarization perpendicular to the current direction. While the steady-state behavior of these effects is well studied, their dynamics on ultrafast timescales remain largely unexplored. In this work, we present a theoretical investigation of the ultrafast spin and orbital Edelstein effects on an Au(001) surface, triggered by excitation with a femtosecond laser pulse. These effects are intrinsic and inherently nonlinear. Using a real-space tight-binding model combined with time evolution governed by the von Neumann equation, we simulate the electron dynamics in response to the pulse. Our results reveal pronounced differences between the spin and orbital responses, offering detailed insights into their distinct temporal profiles and magnitudes. We further explore the associated charge, spin, and orbital currents, including the emergence of laser-induced spin and orbital Hall effects. Finally, we quantify the angular momentum transfer mediated by the light-matter interaction. These findings shed light on the intricate ultrafast dynamics driven by spin-orbit coupling and offer guidance for the design of next-generation spintronic and orbitronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Chirality-induced selectivity of angular momentum by orbital Edelstein effect in carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising materials exhibiting exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties, making them promising for various technologies. Besides achiral configurations with a zigzag or armchair edge, there exist chiral CNTs with a broken inversion symmetry. Here, we demonstrate that chiral CNTs exhibit chirality-induced orbital selectivity (CIOS), which is caused by the orbital Edelstein effect and could be detected as chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS). We find that the orbital Edelstein susceptibility is an odd function of the chirality angle of the nanotube and is proportional to its radius. For metallic CNTs close to the Fermi level, the orbital Edelstein susceptibility increases quadratically with energy. This makes the CISS and CIOS of metallic chiral nanotubes conveniently tunable by doping or applying a gate voltage, which allows for the generation of spin- and orbital-polarized currents. The possibility of generating large torques makes chiral CNTs interesting candidates for technological applications in spin-orbitronics and quantum computing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Large Thermal Hall Effect in MnPS$_3$

Recent studies have demonstrated that the thermal Hall effect can originate from magnons (magnon Hall effect), phonons (phonon Hall effect), or their combination (magnon-polaron Hall effect). The magnon-polaron Hall effect, first observed in Fe2Mo3O8, is particularly intriguing as its thermal Hall signal can be remarkably large. In this study, we explore the thermal Hall effect in MnPS3, an insulating antiferromagnetic material exhibiting a spin-flop transition and significant magnetoelastic coupling, making it a strong candidate for studying the thermal Hall effect originating from spin-lattice coupling. We report an exceptionally large thermal Hall angle down to 4 K and show that it cannot be accounted for by standard calculations based on the intrinsic magnon-polaron Berry curvature. Our findings provide an in-depth analysis of the role of the spin-flop transition in the thermal properties of MnPS3 and call for further theory development on magnon-phonon coupling and scattering to reveal their influence on transverse heat transport.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Sign Changes in Heat, Spin, and Orbital Magnon Transport Coefficients in Kitaev Ferromagnets

Both Kitaev and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) are known to promote intrinsic contributions to the magnon Hall effects such as the thermal Hall and the spin Nernst effects in collinear magnets. Previously, it was reported that a sign change in those transversal transport coefficients only appears in the presence of Kitaev interaction, but not for DMI, which qualitatively distinguishes both kinds of spin-anisotropic interactions in ferromagnets. Herein, we systematically study how the magnon-mediated heat, spin, and orbital transport in longitudinal and transverse geometries evolves with a continuously varying Kitaev-to-DMI ratio, but a fixed magnon band structure. We show that several transport coefficients feature temperature-driven sign changes in the presence of Kitaev interaction, which are absent for DMI. In particular, we find a sign change in longitudinal orbital transport, the magnon orbital Seebeck effect, which is absent in the transverse geometry, the magnon orbital Nernst effect. This sets the orbital transport apart from the heat and spin transport, where we only find sign changes promoted by the Kitaev interaction in transverse, but not in the longitudinal geometry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Chirality-induced orbital Edelstein effect in an analytically solvable model

Chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS), a phenomenon wherein chiral structures selectively determine the spin polarization of electron currents flowing through the material, has garnered significant attention due to its potential applications in areas such as spintronics, enantioseparation, and catalysis. The underlying physical effect is the Edelstein effect that converts charge to angular momentum. Besides a spin contribution there exists a contribution based on the orbital angular momentum but the precise mechanism for its generation remains yet to be understood. Here, we introduce the minimal model for explaining the phenomenon based on the orbital Edelstein effect. We consider non-local inter-site contributions to the current-induced orbital angular momentum and reveal the underlying mechanism by analytically calculating the Edelstein susceptibilities in a tight-binding and Boltzmann approach. While the orbital angular momentum is directly generated by the chirality of the crystal, the spin contribution of each spin-split band pair relies on spin-orbit coupling. Using tellurium as an example, we show that the orbital contribution surpasses the spin contribution by orders of magnitude.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

RC circuit based on magnetic skyrmions

Skyrmions are nano-sized magnetic whirls attractive for spintronic applications due to their innate stability. They can emulate the characteristic behavior of various spintronic and electronic devices such as spin-torque nano-oscillators, artificial neurons and synapses, logic devices, diodes, and ratchets. Here, we show that skyrmions can emulate the physics of an RC circuit, the fundamental electric circuit composed of a resistor and a capacitor, on the nanosecond time scale. The equation of motion of a current-driven skyrmion in a quadratic energy landscape is mathematically equivalent to the differential equation characterizing an RC circuit: the applied current resembles the applied input voltage, and the skyrmion position resembles the output voltage at the capacitor. These predictions are confirmed via micromagnetic simulations. We show that such a skyrmion system reproduces the characteristic exponential voltage decay upon charging and discharging the capacitor under constant input. Furthermore, it mimics the low-pass filter behavior of RC circuits by filtering high-frequencies in periodic input signals. Since RC circuits are mathematically equivalent to the Leaky-Integrate-Fire (LIF) model widely used to describe biological neurons, our device concept can also be regarded as a perfect artificial LIF neuron.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Multifunctional steep-slope spintronic transistors with spin-gapless-semiconductor or spin-gapped-metal electrodes

Spin-gapless semiconductors (SGSs) are a promising class of materials for spintronic applications, enabling functions beyond conventional electronics. This study introduces a novel design for multifunctional spintronic field-effect transistors (FETs) using SGSs and/or spin-gapped metals (SGMs) as source and drain electrodes. These devices operate similarly to metal-semiconductor Schottky barrier FETs, where a potential barrier forms between the SGS (or SGM) electrode and the semiconducting channel. Unlike traditional Schottky barrier FETs, these devices utilize the unique spin-dependent transport properties of SGS/SGM electrodes to achieve sub-60 mV/dec switching, overcoming the 60 mV/dec sub-threshold swing limit in MOSFETs for low-voltage operation. Additionally, SGMs contribute a negative differential resistance (NDR) effect with an ultra-high peak-to-valley current ratio. The proposed spintronic FETs combine sub-60 mV/dec switching, non-local giant magnetoresistance (GMR), and NDR, making them suitable for applications like logic-in-memory computing and multivalued logic. These properties support computing architectures beyond the von-Neumann model, enabling efficient data processing. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials provide a promising platform for these multifunctional FETs. We screen a computational 2D materials database to identify suitable SGS and SGM materials, selecting VS$2$ as the SGS for simulations. Using a non-equilibrium Green's function method with density functional theory, we simulate transfer ($I{\mathrm{D}}$-$V_{\mathrm{G}}$) and output ($I_{\mathrm{D}}$-$V_{\mathrm{D}}$) characteristics of a VS$_2$/Ga$_2$O$_2$ FET based on 2D type-II SGS VS$_2$, predicting a sub-threshold swing of 20 mV/dec, a high on/off ratio of 10$^8$, and a notable non-local GMR effect, demonstrating potential for low-power, high-performance applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Orbital Hall Effect Accompanying Quantum Hall Effect: Landau Levels Cause Orbital Polarized Edge Currents

The quantum Hall effect emerges when two-dimensional samples are subjected to strong magnetic fields at low temperatures: Topologically protected edge states cause a quantized Hall conductivity in multiples of $e^2/h$. Here we show that the quantum Hall effect is accompanied by an orbital Hall effect. Our quantum mechanical calculations fit well the semiclassical interpretation in terms of "skipping orbits". The chiral edge states of a quantum Hall system are orbital polarized akin to a hypothetical orbital version of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in magnetic systems. The orbital Hall resistivity scales quadratically with the magnetic field making it the dominant effect at high fields.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Topological orbital Hall effect caused by skyrmions and antiferromagnetic skyrmions

The topological Hall effect is a hallmark of topologically non-trivial magnetic textures such as magnetic skyrmions. It quantifies the transverse electric current that is generated once an electric field is applied and occurs as a consequence of the emergent magnetic field of the skyrmion. Likewise, an orbital magnetization is generated. Here we show that the charge currents are orbital polarized even though the conduction electrons couple to the skyrmion texture via their spin. The topological Hall effect is accompanied by a topological orbital Hall effect even for s electrons without spin-orbit coupling. As we show, antiferromagnetic skyrmions and antiferromagnetic bimerons that have a compensated emergent field, exhibit a topological orbital Hall conductivity that is not accompanied by charge transport and can be orders of magnitude larger than the topological spin Hall conductivity. Skyrmionic textures serve as generators of orbital currents that can transport information and give rise to considerable orbital torques.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Circular motion of non-collinear spin textures in Corbino disks: Dynamics of N\'eel- versus Bloch-type skyrmions and skyrmioniums

Magnetic skyrmions are nano-scale magnetic whirls that can be driven by currents via spin torques. They are promising candidates for spintronic devices such as the racetrack memory, where a motion along the uniform current is typically desired. However, for spin torque nano-oscillators in Corbino disks, the goal is to achieve a circular motion, perpendicular to the radially applied current. As we show, based on analytical calculations and micromagnetic simulations, Bloch skyrmions engage in a circular motion with frequencies in the MHz range when driven by spin-orbit torques. In contrast, N\'eel skyrmions get stuck at the edges of the disk. Our analysis reveals that the antagonistic dynamics between Bloch- and N\'eel-type magnetic textures arise from their helicity. Furthermore, we find that skyrmioniums, which are topologically trivial variations of skyrmions, move even faster and allow an increase in the current density without being pushed toward the edges of the disk. When driven by spin-transfer torques instead, Bloch and N\'eel skyrmions no longer exhibit different dynamics. Instead, they move along a circular trajectory due to the skyrmion Hall effect caused by their topological charge. Consequently, the topologically trivial skyrmioniums inevitably become trapped at the disk edge in this scenario. To provide a comprehensive understanding, our study also examines currents applied tangentially, further enriching our insights into skyrmion dynamics and appropriate current injection methods for skyrmion-based devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Nonconventional screening of Coulomb interaction in two-dimensional semiconductors and metals: A comprehensive cRPA study of MX2 (M=Mo, W, Nb, Ta; X=S, Se, Te)

Experimental observations of large exciton binding energies and non-hydrogenic Rydberg series in 2D semiconducting TMDs, along with deviations in plasmon dispersion in 2D metallic TMDs, suggest the presence of a nonconventional screening of the Coulomb interaction. The experimentally observed Mott insulating state in the charge density wave (CDW) reconstructed lattice of TMDs containing 4d and 5d elements further confirms the presence of strong Coulomb interactions in these systems. In this study, we use first-principles electronic structure calculations and constrained random-phase approximation to calculate the Coulomb interaction parameters (partially screened U and fully screened W) between localized $d$ electrons in 2D TMDs. We specifically explore materials represented by the formula MX2 (M=Nb, Ta, Mo, W, and X=S, Se, Te) and consider three different phases (1H, 1T, and 1T'). Our results show that the short-range interactions are strongly screened in all three phases, whereas the long-range interactions remain significant even in metallic systems. This nonconventional screening provides a compelling explanation for the deviations observed in the usual hydrogenic Rydberg series and conventional plasmon dispersion in 2D semiconducting and metallic TMDs, respectively. Our calculations yield on-site Coulomb interaction parameters U within the ranges of 0.8-2.5 eV, 0.8-1.9 eV, and 0.9-2.4 eV for the 1H, 1T, and 1T' structures, respectively. Furthermore, our findings indicate a substantially high ratio of on-site effective Coulomb interaction to bandwidth (U_eff/W_b >> 1) in CDW TMDs, providing robust evidence for the experimentally observed strongly correlated Mott phase.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗